Ranking The 25 Best GameCube Games [All Owned & Played]

If you’re mad for all things Nintendo like me and the rest of the Retro Dodo crew crew, then this list of the best GameCube games of all time will take you back to the early 2000s with a huge smile on your face.

Peeling back that game wrapping, opening the box, reading the booklets, marvelling at how small the game discs were – getting a new GameCube game was an exciting ritual that we still think about today.

And the titles in this list are the main reason why the GameCube will always be one of my favourite consoles. A new look to Link, getting hands-on with Fox Mcloud and a bunch of dinosaurs, Django Fett blasting pistols, and Captain Falcon punching opponents off the side of the screen.

This game had so many legendary moments that defined my teenage years, with hours spent playing games after school and then while I should have been revising for exams a few years later!

Classic Zelda
The Legend Of Zelda: The Windwaker

One of the best Zelda adventures of all time, a cel-shaded gamble made by Eiji Aonuma that paid off with fans of Zelda around the world. Wind Waker is timeless and a joy to play today, with incredible quests and unforgettable characters throughout.

Epic Adventure
The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess

A return back to Adult, non-cel-shaded Link (along with Wolf Link) in an adventure that's reminiscent of Ocarina of Time While this game dropped on the Wii too, I prefer the GameCube version as it's much more enjoyable when played with the GameCube controller. 

Great Gameplay
Star Wars Bounty Hunter

Star Wars Bounty Hunter is the perfect GameCube game for Star Wars fans and gamers who enjoyed Shadows of the Empire on the N64. It's fast-paced, explosive action with twin-gun-wielding action all the way through!

1. The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)

Wind Waker Game Case Cover Art Best GameCube Games

I was sceptical when I first saw the cell-shaded Link and the cartoony graphics in The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker, but boy was I wrong to be worried. Every copy of this game sold out in minutes in my local town, but I remember going with my Mum to look for a copy and found one in a second-hand game shop. I don’t think it had even been opened, and it came with the Master Quest Ocarina Of Time discs too which was a great bonus!

For those of you who haven’t played it, go take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself why, and then come back to your computer and grab a copy. The adventure starts on Outset Island where our green-garbed hero is still in his pyjamas. Ganondorf is searching for any girls who look like Princess Zelda so that he can take her part of the Triforce for himself. He sends a big bird over the sea to hunt for girls with pointy ears, and it ends up capturing Link’s sister.

To cut a long story short, Link befriends some pirates, gets washed up near a talking boat, and has to collect different items using the power of the wind to save his sister and defeat Ganondorf. I’ve played this game so many times that I’ve lost count, but I always spot something new that I missed the previous time.

It might not be Ocarina or BOTW, but the story is incredible and the graphics allow for some amazing boss battles that will stick with you forever. Stop whatever you’re doing and go put it on now; you can thank us later.

2. The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)

Twilight Princess Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

If you’ve read any of my articles before, then you’ll know I’m a massive Zelda nerd. I love everything about this series of games, and if I had to choose one hero to be from any game, it would definitely be Link.

I’m going to be honest here; I did consider putting The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess at Number 1 in this list, though as it took the top spot in our article ranking the top Nintendo Wii games and was primarily a Wii title, I had to go with my gut and put a title that was made solely for the Cube in the top spot.

Still, second/honorary first is more than fine for one of my favourite Zelda games of all time. I hold Twilight Princess on a par with Ocarina of Time, which is high praise indeed. And in some respects, the Gamecube controller provides a better gameplay experience than the Wiimote!

Twilight Princess was the best-selling Zelda game of all time unto BOTW came out, beating Ocarina of Time by 900,000 copies It’s based many years after the events of Ocarina of Time and sits in between Majora’s Mask and Four Swords in the Zelda Timeline.

I wasn’t a fan of Clocktown in Majora’s Mask so much, so seeing a traditional take on Hyrule after Wind Waker felt incredibly refreshing and familiar at the same time. Hyrule itself looks amazing, and the return of Hyrule Castle Square was a nice touch. Play as Wolf Link or Link himself, wielding amazing weapons and immersing yourself in a superb adventure alongside Midna, Zant, and other iconic characters. Honestly, I can’t recommend this game enough!

3. Star Wars Bounty Hunter (2002)

Star Wars Bounty Hunter Game Case Cover Art

Jango Fett was always one of my favourite Star Wars Characters, especially seen as though his son was the only person smart enough to capture Han Solo.

Star Wars Bounty Hunter sees you play as Jango himself, following a mission from Darth Tyrannus in a bid to rid the galaxy of the Bando Gora. They’re basically a criminal gang who worship the Force, but they’re causing a lot of bother for old Tyrannus and Darth Sidious, and they want them out of the picture.

Jango goes on a mission to take down their leader and receives more money than he knows what to do in return. But as with all evil crime rings and the promise of money on completion of a dangerous task, it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. He uses a blaster pistol in each hand, so it’s easy to shoot down multiple enemies as you make your way through the different levels.

There are plenty of different power-ups to pick up along the way to improve your bounty-hunting skills, as well as items that will help Jango to defeat the Bando Gora once and for all. You can also earn a little extra cash on the side by completing bounties that you find on Jango’s scanner as you go. He never takes a day off!

I waited so long for this game to arrive as it got imported from a different country. At least that’s what my Mum told me when it didn’t arrive on my birthday, but maybe she just forgot. Either way, it has some special memories related to it and I loved it once it finally arrived, so I’m sticking it in the list.

4. Star Fox Adventures (2002)

Star Fox Adventures Game Case Cover Art

Fox McCloud was badass enough up in the sky while flying his Arwing, but put him down on the ground with a load of dinosaurs and give him a staff to fight his way around with, and you’ve got yourself another of incredible game.

It’s eight years after Andross’ defeat, but there’s no rest for Fox and the gang. This time our furry-tailed friend is heading after General Scales and the Sharpclaw army in an attempt to save the Earthwalker Tribe and bring peace back to Dinosaur Planet. He also teams up with a Lady Fox named Krystal who lost her home when General Scales attacked. Looks like life on the ground isn’t too bad after all, ey Fox?

Rare have done it again with this rich adventure classic. The colours and scenery in the game are something to behold, and the worlds themselves are all full of surprises at every turn. Star Fox Adventures’ gameplay is very similar to the Zelda game series. You can use your staff to fight in melee-style combat, unlock hidden items, and solve puzzles that allow you to move onto the next area in the world.

Heart pieces can be collected to up your strength, and there are boss battles that you must complete in order to progress. You can also fly in your Arwing to different areas of the planet once you get far enough through the story. Try your hand at dodging objects in space as you make your way from one part of the world to another. It’s a great adventure game from the genius minds over at RARE and one that you should definitely give a try!

5. Luigi’s Mansion (2001)

Luigis Mansion Game Case Cover Art Best GameCube Games

From one plumber who can’t get a break to another plumber who can’t stop breaking out into a cold sweat! I waited so long for Luigi’s Mansion to come out; I counted down the days until it’s release, reading all of the reviews and checking out sneak-peak videos all the while before the big day.

Luigi has always been one of my favourite characters as he’s never in the limelight. I always liked to imagine what he was getting up to while Mario was out saving the day, and it turns out he was trying to clean up mansions for Professor E. Gadd with a super hi-tech vacuum cleaner. Who would have thought it!

This game is without a doubt one of the best on the console. Seeing Luigi creeping around the mansion and sneaking up on unsuspecting ghosts brings a whole new thrill-factor to our lesser-spotted green plumbing friend. What Luigi lacks in courage, he makes up for in comedy value and job satisfaction. I’ve never seen anyone this determined to do such a dangerous and terrifying job!

Collect new upgrades for your Poltergust 3000; find coins and hearts along the way through your mansion; and suck up pictures, dust, leaves, tablecloths, and more to find secrets that will help you along your quest. If you’re looking to get Luigi’s Mansion 3 for the Switch, then start from the beginning and check out the title that started it all off!

6. Mario Kart Double Dash (2003)

Mario Kart Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

Mario Kart Double Dash is a pretty unique game in itself as it is the first to see players picking two characters per race instead of just one. One character races the player’s chosen car, and the other stands on the back and throws items at opponents. It’s a slightly odd feature seeing as though we’ve done so well with just one character for so many years, but it’s a Mario Kart title, so we’ll let it slide.

Players can switch at any time and you can team up with a friend on the same kart instead of going head to head! Choose your friends wisely though, guys; you don’t want someone ruining all the good driving that you’ve put in! Mario Kart Double Dash saw the introduction of even more new characters to the Mario Kart scene, along with new powerups and courses.

With the success of Mario Kart 64, Double Dash had to pull out all of the stops to improve on its predecessor. It went on to become the second-best-selling game on the GameCube, so it did pretty well! Play through your favourite modes such as Grand Prix, Time Trial, and the much-loved Battle mode where players must use all of the weapons at their disposal to defeat their opponents. It’s a one-stop-shop for Nintendo racing madness, which is why it has cemented itself on this list.

7. Pikmin 2 (2004)

Pikmin 2 Game Case Cover Ar GameCube Game

Pikmin 2 also made my list of epic GameCube multiplayer titles, not that I’m trying to instantly say how much more I like it than the original Pikmin… Ok, I’ve already said how great the original Pikmin was and how much it’s a beloved GameCube title in many articles here on Dodo, but taking away the time pressure and allowing us to enjoy the game was exactly what we needed to make Pikmin even better, and the sequel delivered.

With new Pikmin to encounter, a new story to embark on, and no 30-day countdown, it’s perfect for fans of the original or people who want to get into the franchise for the first time. We’re talking maximum exploring and zero stress, apart from the end of the day countdown, of course. Don’t leave a Pikmin behind, guys!

The multiplayer mode isn’t going to leave you swearing at each other or panting for breath with exhaustion; it’s a nice chilled mode for players to jump into for some friendly rivalry. Collect and steal marbles using Red or Blue Pikmin, simple. Now make those other plant-headed losers eat dirt as you fight to victory!!

Ahem… I got a little carried away there. Let’s move on.

8. Super Mario Sunshine (2002)

Super Mario Sunshine Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

After the success of Super Mario 64, his first solo venture on the new console had to be a great hit, and it didn’t disappoint. While holidaying in Isle Delfino, Mario encounters an imposter ‘Shadow Mario’ who has been running amok and destroying the Island. Mario is joined by a water-jetpack type item called FLUDD who helps him to clean up Isle Delfino in a bid to find the 120 shine sprites needed to bring light back to the island.

The gameplay in Super Mario Sunshine is very similar to Super Mario 64, which is never going to be a bad thing, but the graphics have improved tenfold. It’s a fun game with all of the same collectible-gathering action that we’ve come to know and love from our favourite Italian plumber.

It’s nice to have a new location for a Mario Game instead of being based around the Mushroom Kingdom’s usual haunts, and the introduction of the Piantas and Nokis, Isle Delfino’s residents, is a nice little feature. You will, however, be pleased to know that you still have to save Princess Peach from Shadow Mario while cleaning up the mess that the islanders have blamed you for. Can’t a plumber get a break!

Looks like Mario’s going to have to wait a while longer before he can relax in the sun, but at least he can have a ride around on Yoshi when he gets bored and cool off with FLUDD when things get a little too heated!

(Psst – If you want to check out an even better version of Sunshine, take a look at some of the GameCube ROM hacks we’ve covered here on Dodo.)

9. Mario Party 4 (2002)

Mario Party 4 Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

The next title in our list is, in my opinion, the best party game on not only our favourite cubed-console, but in the world. The first Mario Party game on the GameCube is still my favourite to this day. The shop system was easy, the magic lantern and the accompanying Genie always felt like cheating even though it was part of the game, and handing over 20 coins for a star is still one of the best bargains in life.

For anyone who isn’t akin with Mario Party 4, it’s a board-game turn-based title in which players move around different courses and collect coins that they can trade for items and, more importantly, stars.

Mario on a Mario Party board
Credit: Nintendo

Players compete in mini-games at the end of each round, either in teams or against each other, and each course has different elements that are set to spice things up for the players. There’s also a story mode where you can play against the computer and unlock a sixth course, Bowsers Castle, which is filled with evil stuff and loads of fire.

I’m lucky that I was blessed with a cool Mum while growing up, and we used to play Mario Party on an evening and try to determine who the Party Star really was. You can play as your favourite Nintendo Characters including Wario and Waluigi, and the premise of the game is so simple that it’s rated E for Everyone. This is a great multiplayer game to play with friends or family, but it’s also super fun in the 1-player mode too. Everyone loves Mario, and everyone loves a party; it’s a guaranteed recipe for success.

10. Prince Of Persia – Sands Of Time (2003)

Prince of Persia The Sands of Time Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

A mysterious Prince that uses a blade to rewind time when he makes mistakes or falls to his death; now that sounds like one gnarly game! Based in Persia (the clue is in the title I guess), our unnamed prince sets out to right the mistakes that his father has made after ransacking a city on the behest of a treacherously wicked Vizier.

After releasing the sands of time by accident, the city’s inhabitants turn to evil monsters that the Prince must defeat in order to collect the sands and restore balance to the world. It’s a gripping platform game and one that has oodles of playability. I still find Prince of Persia hard to put down!

The Prince Of Persia’s main move is to run along walls a little bit like Neo, but the prince was doing it way before wearing long leather jackets was cool. I remember the first time that I did a wall run on this game to get to a higher platform; it was such a cool moment having a character do something that I had always wished Link could have done in Ocarina of Time. The Water Temple would have been 1’000 times easier with that skill!

Anyway, back to the Prince! The graphics on this game were also pretty special, using Ubisoft’s Jade Engine to create some stunning Persian scenery from courtyards through to temple gardens. Any game where you can turn back time is a winner for me, especially when it involves a kick-ass dagger and zombie-style foot soldiers!

11. Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)

Super Smash Bros Melee Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

A Nintendo game where you can fight as Link, Captain Falcon, Ganondorf, Nes, Mr Game & Watch, Luigi and more – what is there not to love about Super Smash Bros. Melee? Unlocking all of the different characters in this button-mashing classic was the best fun in the world, and as you didn’t know whether the unlockable players would appear in single or multiplayer mode, you just had to spend as many hours as possible playing both!

I can’t stress how amazing Super Smash Bros. Melee is; seeing Kirby stealing Link’s powers and wearing a green hat will never lose its appeal and the collectibles that you could pick up to make your fight easier were just insane!

Who can remember using the Barrel Hammer from Donkey Kong to K.O their opponents into next year? Super Smash Bros. Melee is great for letting off a bit of steam, and the rounds are quite short, which means it always stays fresh and exciting.

Sudden Death at the end of the match was always tense, and trying to survive till the end of the round with 250% damage took all of your skill to carry out. Play as your favourite character and beat the ones you hate into a pulp, all in a friendly non-violent Nintendo way. It’s practically therapy!

12. Metroid Prime (2002)

Metroid Prime game case cover art GameCube game

Samus has featured in many titles over the years on a number of Nintendo platforms, but Metroid Prime was the one that made me want to don a cyberspace suit and fight crime right alongside her.

Collecting all of Samus’ different moves and defeating some of the weirdest alien creatures in existence along the way was mind-blowingly awesome, and the fact that this game uses a first-person format makes the whole adventure even tenser! You’ve never felt fear until you turn around and come face-to-face with the dude in the picture below.

After following up on a distress signal from a Space Pirate Ship, Samus battles Meta Ridley and loses her kick-ass abilities. You must navigate your way through the Chozo Ruins and find them all in order to defeat Meta Ridley and restore some sense of normality to the galaxy.

The scenery in the levels is stunning, twinning creepy tunnels and caverns with amazing outdoor locations and interesting enemies. Plus the sheer amount of upgrades that you can add to Samus’ suit will keep you playing until the very end!

13. Super Monkey Ball (2001)

Super Monkey Ball Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

The next title in my collection could well be the cause of multiple cases of what I like to call ‘Gamers Stress Syndrome’ all over the world. Usual symptoms are throwing your controller on the ground, shouting at the top of your voice, and gripping your controller so hard that you look like you’re on a white-knuckle ride. But man, is Super Monkey Ball addictive!

Whoever thought that putting a monkey in a ball and making it roll around tilting courses would be such a ginormous hit! The challenge of nailing the perfect score and getting all the bananas saw me replaying levels over and over again, but that’s what being a dedicated gamer is all about!

Join AiAi, Meemee, Baby, and GonGon as they work their way through multiple worlds in their transparent balls. Help them to collect bananas along the way, and try to make sure they don’t fall off the edge of the course into the abyss as you watch your speedometer race to insane speeds!

Take a break from the main game to play some of the amazing party games such as Monkey Fight, Monkey Race, and Monkey Target. Try your hand at Monkey Billiards, Monkey Bowling, or Monkey Golf too! I have some amazing memories of playing these games with my Mum, and she’s still pretty kickass when it comes to getting a strike with GonGon!

14. Metroid Prime: Echoes (2004)

Metroid Prime 2 Echoes Game Case Cover Art Best GameCube Games

Is there anyone cooler than Samus Aran? You can keep your Captain Marvel, more people should know about how epic our favourite space heroin really is. The second title in the Metroid Prime trilogy, Echoes sees Samus Return with another epic first-person shooter game. Expect gargantuan space monsters and more action than you can shake a plasma cannon at!

The levels are much larger in the second title, and the general theme is much darker and eerie. I know that the original was already pretty eerie and intense, but Echoes pushes it up another level. In my personal opinion, it’s more complicated too; I definitely found it a lot more difficult which isn’t always a bad thing, but to be honest I prefer the overall atmosphere and playability of the original just a tad more, which is why it scores higher.

With Goldeneye-style four-player split-screen action, players can battle it out for the accolade of the toughest bounty hunter in existence. Deathmatch plays in much the same way as games like Fortnite, and Bounty is a coin-collecting game that while not as high-octane, is still a great feature.

15. Pikmin (2001)

Pikmin Game GameCube Game

This game both infuriated me and filled me with pride in equal measure, and any game that can bring up such a strange mixture of feelings deserves a place in our article for sure. In homage to Lemmings, Pikmin sees players pulling little flower creatures that follow you around aimlessly. They help to solve puzzles and problems in order to retrieve pieces of your broken ship.

Captain Olimar, an intrepid space adventurer with an oddly shaped head and a fatal Oxygen allergy, has 30 days to fix his ship before he dies on the planet in which he has crash-landed. The plantbased animals that live on the planet, otherwise known as Pikmin, are here to help him to find his parts and return to his home planet. Sounds simple, right? Think again.

The game lasts for 30 days, each day lasting around 13 minutes in real-time. You can’t do anything at night because predators will eat your Pikmin, and if you don’t fix your spaceship in time, then it’s game over for you and your little plant friends. Use red Pikmin to carry heavy objects and walk through fire, yellow friends to jump up high and throw bombs, and blue Pikmin to find things in puddles or pools.

16. Gauntlet: Dark Legacy (2002)

Gauntlet Dark Legacy Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

Up next on our list is one of the best hack-and-slash titles that I have EVER played. Gauntlet: Dark Legacy remains the perfect couch-co-op multiplayer adventure of all time, teaming up with mates to destroy hordes of undead ghouls and demons. I still remember entering the world hub for the first time, collecting treasure and battling it out to see who could reach food first. To this day I still say ‘MMM, SUSTENANCE’, before eating a snack.

As well as collecting gold to trade for different abilities and stats, players can improve the look of their characters by levelling up. A lowly Wizard will eventually end up looking like a kick-ass Warlock, and the same goes for the other characters too!

Unlockable characters include a Valkyrie, a Minotaur, and a Jester amongst others. Fans of the Hyrule Warriors series and titles such as Castlevania and Dark Souls will love Gauntlet, and while it is a good game to play solo, nothing beats the couch-co-op multiplayer action! Trying to keep them alive is like looking after 1000 children all at once and even more stressful because they’re always being eaten by monsters! Still, it’s a great puzzle game and one you should try if you have a strong disposition.

17. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (2001)

Sonic adventure 2 Battle Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

Snowboarding down the streets of San Francisco on the City Escape level will never get old. Not only that, but finally coming face to face with Dr Eggman’s new super-weapon and ultimate life form ‘Shadow The Hedgehog’ blew my mind!

Sonic Adventure 2 Battle is another game that had an incredible multiplayer mode; racing along courses with Shadow and Sonic and finding treasure with Knuckles and Rogue was part of our Saturday game plan every week. Man, this brings back memories!

Other than introducing new characters to the franchise, this game was one of the first Sonic games to introduce the idea of not just blasting from one end of the level to the next and actually having to solve things and pick up collectibles along the way. And if you get tired of the story, you can always spend time growing your Chao garden with the items that you pick up and create the ultimate tiny hero or devil for more multiplayer action.

Chaos emeralds and rings return as collectibles in this game as you might expect. Unlike other Sonic titles, however, Adventure 2 Battle gives you the option of playing out the story as both the Good and Evil sides. Gamers control Sonic, Eggman, Shadow, Rouge, Knuckles, and Tails in this game, playing out each scenario either in favour of saving the world or destroying it.

Completing all the campaigns as both sides opens up a final level in which all the characters work together. Even Nintendo characters like multiplayer action!

18. Pokemon Colosseum (2003)

Pokemon Colosseum Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

Ever wanted to steal other trainers’ Pokemon instead of randomly catching your own? It’s a very specific feature, but now you can do just that!Pokemon Colosseum sees players taking control of Wes, a former member of the evil group ‘Team Snagem’.

They developed a machine to ‘snag’ other Pokemon, and now Wes is using it to free trapped Shadow Pokemon by snagging them, just like in his Snagem days… Yes, there is a lot of reference to snagging in this game.

I know what many readers must be thinking, and no, this game isn’t just an updated version of Pokemon Stadium for the N64. The title certainly lends itself to the franchise; the Colosseum is, after all, the ultimate fighting stadium! No, Pokemon Colosseum is an adventure in its own right. Only Shadow Pokemon, i.e Pokemon with closed-off hearts, can be captured from other trainers. Wes is essentially a vigilante freeing tortured souls!

Pokemon caught on Ruby or Sapphire can be transferred to Colosseum via the GBA link cable. It also features a multiplayer that is very similar to Pokemon Stadium with quick battle modes for fast-Pokemon-fighting action.

19. F-Zero GX (2003)

F-Zero GX Game Case Cover Art GameCube Game

Fans of Hydro Thunder and Star Wars Episode 1: Racer will love this futuristic, fast-paced racing game. It makes Mario Kart look like a walk in the park and is filled with danger at every turn.

The gameplay and controls remain very similar to F-Zero X on the N64; both difficult and nail-biting!I know that most players will opt for Captain Falcon because of the Smash Bros. series, but there are a whole host of racers in F-Zero GX, each with vehicles that perform differently.

Tracks can suddenly morph into tubes or pipes, and players must periodically heal their ships on special strips. Failure to do so might mean an imminent implosion! GX differs from its predecessor with the addition of a story mode. Gamers control Captain Falcon through 9 chapters, completing various challenges along the way.

20. Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001)

Star Wars Rogue Leader Rogue Squadron 2 Game Case Cover Art

Star Wars fans won’t need any convincing when it comes to buying the next title in our list. Rogue Squadron for the N64 was an absolute blinder of a game, and Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader is no exception.

Spanning 10 missions across various planets and all three original Star Wars films, players control either Luke Skywalker or Wedge Antilles while blasting Empire ships out of the sky. Nothing, and I mean nothing, could be cooler than controlling an X-Wing while blasting down gun turrets on the Death Star.

Ok, maybe shooting down a Star Destroyer using the Millennium Falcon or fighting the Rebel Alliance as Darth Vader… Who am I kidding, every ship and scenario in this game is pure brilliance! With that oh-so-sweet Tie Fighter sound and tonnes of scenes and scenarios from the three best films in the series, Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader is a pleasure to play from start to finish.

21. Mario Party 5 (2003)

Mario Party 5 Game Case Cover Art GameCube

If Mario Party 5 had kept with the shop system rather than opting for the item capsule stations, then it would definitely be further down this list. Still, the 5th title in the Mario Party series is a cracking multiplayer title and well worth investing in if you’re a mini game maestro!

For those readers who haven’t played a Mario Party game before, the premise is super simple. Roll a dice, move around a board, and try to win stars. Players take part in minigames at the end of each turn, giving them a chance to win coins that can be traded for stars or used in other ‘table-turning’ features. From the Dream Depot to the Bowser’s Nightmare boards, players can take control of all of their favourite Nintendo characters (bar DK and Bowser in this version) as they battle it out to determine who is the Party Star.

Play against the CPU or challenge your friends and family in the ultimate mini-game showdown. Mario Party 5 certainly is a feel-good game that the whole family can enjoy. Though if I were you, I’d wait till you got to Number 9 on our list…

22. The Simpsons: Road Rage (2001)

The Simpsons Road Rage Game Case Cover Art Best GameCube Games

The Simpsons Road Rage took everything that I loved about Crazy Taxi and made it 10-times-more exciting. Simpsons characters driving other Simpsons characters around Springfield for money… now that’s what I’m talking about!

I loved everything about this title, from Mr Burns showing up to ram you off the road to the different levels and classic scenes from the TV show. Taking Apu to the Kwik-E-Mart or Reverend Lovejoy to the church before a timer runs out; it’s a recipe for success! Did you have a favourite car or racer? Mine had to be Professor Frink in his flying car. And every character had their own catchphrases too! Groundskeeper Willie’s tractor was pretty cool as well!

And that question mark at the bottom of the character selection screen? That allowed games to play as special ‘holiday’ characters; Halloween (Bart), Thanksgiving (Marge), Christmas (Apu) and New Year’s (Krusty). Obviously, players could mess around with their GameCube’s internal clock to access them, or they could wait until said day of the year and reap the rewards the good old-fashioned way.

23. Super Monkey Ball 2 (2002)

Super Monkey Ball 2 Game Case Cover Art Best GameCube Games

While the formula wasn’t new at this point, Sega’s second primape-rolling title brought new levels and features that kept fans of the series in high spirits. It’s the first Super Monkey Ball game to be made specifically for a home console and not a port of an arcade title (i.e the first super Monkey Ball Game).

Super Monkey Ball 2 also brought a proper story mode to the party too. Dr Bad-Boon steals all of the bananas from Monkey Island, and it’s up to Ai-Ai, Gon-Gon, and the gang to get them back. Sounds like Bad-Boon has taken a few lessons on life from King K.Rool!

Race along half pipes, traverse moving platforms, and hurtle down slopes through each of the game’s 100 levels. Thankfully, you can replay them as many times as you like; Monkey Ball is hard!

24. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (2002)

Eternal Darkness

Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is up next! Nintendo used to be known for their family-friendly games, but Eternal Darkness was one of the first M-rated games that the company produced for the GameCube.

Fans of Hellblade and Dark Souls will be all over this psychological thriller, and Resident Evil lovers will also feel right at home in the dark and spooky levels throughout this game.

Sanity’ Requiem was hailed by critics all over the world as being a groundbreaking title, but it just didn’t sell as well as Nintendo had hoped. The truth is, I think people buy Nintendo games because they like Zelda, Mario, Banjo-Kazooie etc. Eternal Darkness felt like it would have belonged better on the PS2.

Still, I liked it at any rate! Solve puzzles, fight evil monsters, and stop an evil force from taking over humanity, all while wetting your pants over and over again. When the sanity meter starts to drop, the level will alter and things will appear that aren’t really there. It’s a very clever game, just not one for those afraid of the dark!

25. Sphinx And The Cursed Mummy (2003)

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy is a game that many readers may have come across on the Nintendo Switch recently. It first made its debut on the GameCube and is a great little action/adventure title.

Fans of ancient Egyptian culture will love this fictional tale. Gamers take control of not one, but two characters in the Cursed Mummy. Both the Demi-God Sphinx and the undead mummy of Tutankhamun must be used at various intervals to complete certain tasks.

Sphinx takes all of the action and fighting scenes, knocking back enemies with his sword and brute strength. The Mummy, however, uses his intellect to solve puzzles, some of which allow Sphinx to progress in certain stages

Conversing with Imhotep, Horus, Anubis, and many more Egyptian gods and characters felt so cool; the game is almost like a loose history lesson in a way, giving players a chance to learn more about these epic characters in their own time.

Wield the blade of Osiris and retrieve Canopic Vases in a bid to bring Tutankhamun back to life. Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy has all of the feels of Mario and Zelda with a little Banjo-Kazooie thrown in for good measure.

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